The Free Mark Lankford Defense Project

Random observations, edition 7, 3rd October 2004

Today, 3 October 2004, begins my 22nd year of incarceration for the crimes of my brother. It has not been an enlightening or pleasant experience over these years. I have done my best to be the best man I could be, while facing murder at the hands of the State. I have endured all the lies, deception, half-truths and arrogance Idaho has thrown at me. I remain steadfast, unequivocal and relentless in my determination to overcome this injustice, for I am INNOCENT!

Since we last visited in this forum, quite a few developments have come to pass. On the legal front, the US Supreme Court reversed itself with a completely illogical decision in late June. They decided that judges alone could sentence "some" people to death, as long as those individual Americans had exhausted their State court appeals, though unconstitutional to all others. I am one of about 110 condemned Americans not covered by the protections of the US Constitution due to timing! What a fair, equal application of law! It's pathetic on its face!

My appeal now goes to the 9th Circuit Court, where the original decision was made and then overturned by the US Supreme Court, of course, the USSC decision was based on the Death Penalty Sentencing Scheme of Arizona, which differs in many ways with Idaho, so this issue is far from resolved. This is, for all intents and purposes, my last court, my last chance to win my case, to have my conviction reversed!

As most people know, I was finally taken out of solitary on 28 November 2003. In February, I was allowed to work in the Laundry and worked there until 14 July 2004. In April, I was hit in the face by a Neo-Nazi skinhead, which did not do much damage. This assault was allegedly due to my brother having a war-of-words with the racist gangs. My brother was also attacked in April by white supremacists and he is also in solitary confinement on the same tier as I.

At the end of the day On 14 July, as I was taking my shower supplies into my cell and my back was turned to my open cell door. Two Neo-Nazi racists came into my cell and attacked me from behind; a method only used by lowly cowards that are afraid to confront a real man face-to-face! They hit me with fists, feet, an electric water heater and a television set. It shows how fearful the coward, racist gang leaders are that they felt compelled to send two early 20's idiots to attack a man 48 years old from behind with weapons.

However, this was not enough to do the job. I feel these fools were attempting to murder me. There were two correctional officers only a short distance from my cell, but they were oblivious to the attack taking place. After the initial, surprise attack from behind, I was able to fend the attackers off and go offensive. My life was in jeopardy, so I fought back, slapping the delinquents across their faces and forcing them to hit the emergency "call button" (they had closed the door when they came in, trapping themselves). They then ran from the cell like the lowlife punks they are; like puppies with their tails between their legs! (I had never had a problem with these 2 youngsters. In fact, the one named Spurway talked to me all the time.) They were then spotted by correctional officers and arrested. They are now in solitary, just like my brother and me, but they are being prosecuted criminally. I was taken to the hospital for four days of precautionary observation, but had no significant damage. X-rays determined my nose was not broken by the hotpot, although it certainly looked and felt like it.

I had a CT Scan at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, for I suffered a constant headache and blackouts. The scan determined all was fine, but I was suffering from "post-concussion syndrome". I'm almost back to 100% now, but I am far from happy with these events and how the prison has treated me.

The reason I was attacked was thought to be, at first, my brother's problem with these hate mongers, or perhaps how some of my friends on death row were verbally showing disrespect to the gang leadership. I have since found that the real reason was my refusal to distribute messages and drugs throughout the prison from my position in the Laundry. I had been asked to do this twice; the second time the offer was sweetened, but I refused. Less than one week later, I was attacked and one of the racists replaced me. The prison will not acknowledge this truth, but it will come out in court.

His position was short-lived, however, as the administration of I.D.O.C., in the dead-of-night, had 10-12 of the white racists leadership removed from IMSI and sent to "Super Max" prisons in various other states, (from Colorado and Florida to Texas and California!) It has been told to me that any others in these cowardly hate groups, when they are identified, will also be moved out of Idaho. The prison has also mandated that any time inmates are out of their cells, an officer must be on the tier floor! These changes/movements are long overdue and are attempts by the prison to regain control of this facility. Just this past week, 45 shanks (homemade knives) were found buried in the ground of the ball field. The ball field has been closed and will probably be paved over in concrete. What a world!

So, in sum, the prison is being proactive in approaching the terrible, intractable problem of racist's gangs here. Idaho is a haven for these cowards, most of them uneducated and partially (or totally) insane! Yet, the prison is not doing anything to help those victimized by these thugs. There are many people like me, placed in solitary after being attacked or threatened. Many of them are moved to the prison in Orofino, in northern Idaho. Due to my sentence, I must remain here, but I will fight my being in perpetual solitary due to the actions of others. The prison system must be creative and have a place at this prison, where older inmates that don't pose security or disciplinary problems can live and work quietly, without being subjected to racist criminals or young inmates that are addled in their minds from extensive drug use at an early age. You would not believe how some of the inmates act in this prison!

Other issues: I no longer have a job and I'm not allowed to have any hobby craft (no painting). It seems I am being punished for being attacked and the lack of control of inmates by the prison administration! This cannot be allowed to go unchallenged! I did see the movie "the Passion of the Christ" and this is an overwhelming experience. At a much smaller level, I can identify with the suffering Jesus Christ endured while innocent. We collectively, should do more to love and help others in any way we can. It should not be a choice, but a personal obligation we cheerfully accept.

Throughout the negative events that I have endured, my faith has not diminished. It has only been strengthened, energized, activated and aroused! Join me in this struggle; let your faith, no matter what it may be, lead and guide you.

Since I've been in this solitary, I have had three fantastic events take place. Fantastic Fran from Georgia, Guilio Bellucci from Rome, Italy and Sarah from Alaska were able to come all the way out to this high desert outpost and visit me! To know there are people that love and care for me makes a huge difference, for I live in an environment where your spirit is constantly being stomped upon. I can never adequately express my appreciation to all that care for me, that love me, that encourage me, that pray for me, that support me, that believe in me and that have stood by me during this period of my discontent, now over 21 years long!

If you can think of anything that would help, let me, Fran, my attorneys or anyone else know. I send you love and appreciation!

Namasté and Peace,
Mark H. Lankford
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